On January 1, 2023, Audi RS Q e-tron once again went to Dakar Rally. In the last race, as the first car in this race to use electric power assembly, it won four stage championships on behalf of Audi Sports team with its innovative electric drive system, efficient energy converter and high-voltage battery.
In this event, Audi RS Q e-tron has achieved a comprehensive upgrade in terms of body lightweight, aerodynamics, vehicle energy efficiency, etc. At the world racing seminar organized by Race Tech magazine not long ago, Audi RS Q e-tron also stood out from the crowd and won the "2022 Best Racing Powertrain" award.
Dakar Rally is the most challenging automobile race in the world. This year, ASO, the organizer, has further upgraded the difficulty of the race. All the stages of the race will still be held in Saudi Arabia, but 70% of the stages are brand new. The 14 special stages between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf are 350 to 500 kilometers long, which is longer and more difficult than the last year, Among them, the four stages in the "blank land" Rupkhari Desert are covered with towering dunes, which is a great test for the passing ability and reliability of vehicles.
Challenging extreme environment, the "Dream Team of Champions" goes to Dakar
This time, Mattias Ekstr ö m/Emil Bergkvist, St é phane Peterhansel/Edouard Boulanger, Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz, the three groups of drivers and navigators representing the Audi sports team, will drive Audi RS Q e-tron to fight in the vast desert in the next 14 stages, continuing the legend of Audi electric racing.
Audi team will use the upgraded Audi RS Q e-tron with more sophisticated performance to participate in the competition of T1 Ultimate group. Since 2022, this category has been committed to achieving low carbon emissions in cross-country rally. As a model of electric racing, the front and rear axles of Audi RS Q e-tron are equipped with a motor unit (MGU), which is powered by high-voltage batteries. At the same time, its energy control system has also been improved to achieve the balance of energy consumption among systems. The high-efficient energy converter consisting of a four cylinder turbocharged engine and an additional motor unit (MGU) can not only charge the high-voltage battery at the best time, but also use innovative renewable fuel (reFuel) for the first time. This kind of fuel uses biological residues as raw materials, which can effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 60%, more in line with the sustainable concept pursued by the Audi brand.
At the same time, the body structure of the upgraded Audi RS Q e-tron applies a new aerodynamic concept. The structure is similar to the hull shape. The widest part is located in the cockpit, and the body gradually narrows forward and backward. On the upcoming Audi RS Q e-tron, the mudguard behind the front wheel and the door transition of the first generation racing car, the upper rear cover plate and the spare wheel protective cover beside the door have been removed, further realizing the lightweight design of the vehicle and optimizing the aerodynamic performance.
Electrification technology pioneer force, proving extraordinary strength on the field
The outstanding performance of Audi's electric drive racing cars in the racing field also proves the foresight and reliability of Audi's technical concept once again. As the leader of Audi brand in the electric market, in 2022, FAW Audi will continuously promote two major pure electric products - Audi Q4 e-tron and Audi RS e-tron GT, and lead high-end mobile travel in the future by virtue of its competitive technical system and advanced product concept.
Audi Q4 e-tron, as one of the few forward research and development pure electric vehicles in the same class,, has always maintained the luxury gene of Audi brand. The battery pack uses the aluminum alloy bottom plate, cooling plate and thermal conductive gel layer three layers of heavy protection bottom plate, and the internal application of six horizontal and one vertical structures, comprehensively and independently protect each battery, which is not easy to leak electricity and fire in case of collision. In addition, Audi Q4 e-tron also carries an e-quattro four-wheel drive system with the same technology as RS Q e-tron, which has demonstrated its outstanding strength of high passing ability, high reliability, etc., which has been fully verified in the field. In addition, Audi Q4 e-tron also has the largest 79.7kWh available battery capacity in the same class, which can achieve a maximum range of 605km (CLTC condition), and reshape the new standard of electric luxury with all-around strength.
As a flagship pure electric product, Audi RS e-tron GT not only brings users the romantic feelings of GT leisure culture, but also brings users a new driving experience with both performance and comfort thanks to Audi's electrification technology and RS's "street and track" performance gene. RS e-tron GT and RS Q e-tron both use 800V high voltage technology derived from FE racing cars, bringing an acceleration experience comparable to overtrace and an industry-leading charging experience. Under the long-term high-intensity event inspection, the ejection power of Audi RS e-tron GT still leaves room above the limit. Under the super supercharging mode, the 475kW peak power can erupt instantaneously at the starting stage. Audi RS e-tron GT can accelerate 0-100km/h in 3.3 seconDS, It can also realize unlimited ejection start, bringing users an extreme dynamic acceleration experience. Its DC fast charging power is up to 270kW, which can achieve 5% - 80% charging in 22.5 minutes, easily solving users' anxiety about endurance. In addition, the thermal management system equipped with RS e-tron GT, like RS Q e-tron, was developed by Audi Sports Mass Production Department to ensure normal operation under low temperature and extreme heat, and improve the endurance and battery life.
Not only in Dakar Rally, Audi is also actively participating in various extreme tests and other competitions, constantly summarizing and absorbing experience, and continuously promoting technology upgrading with the spirit of innovation. In the endurance test and the Moroccan Rally in October, the upgraded Audi RS Q e-tron proved once again the advantages of electric drive technology in motorsport with excellent reliability and dynamic performance. With the opening of the Dakar Rally, Audi RS Q e-tron will continue to conquer the harsh natural environment, create the history of motorsport, and lead the development and popularization of electric technology.
